Police: North York machete attack stems from argument over rent

Police have responded to the 1000 block of North Duke Street where a person has been injured by a machete. (Gordon Rago -- Daily Record/Sunday News)

Update, Sunday, 10 a.m.:

A machete attack in North York on Saturday night stemmed from an argument over rent, according to a Northern York County Regional Police news release.

Police said they were called at 8:43 p.m. to the 1000 block of North Duke Street for a report of a fight and a man injured by a machete, the release states.

Once there, police were called to a second floor apartment, where they found a man with cuts on his arm and neck. The man had barricaded the alleged assailant, Michael A. Bryant, 49, in a bedroom and was holding the door shut, the release states.

Officers arrested Bryant, then tended to the injuries of the 36-year-old victim until the arrival of emergency medical personnel.

Police found out that the argument started over a disagreement about rent. During the argument, Bryant brandished a machete with a 14-inch blade. As the argument continued, Bryant struck the victim with the machete in the arm and neck, according to the release.

The victim was transported to York Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which were not life-threatening, the release states.

Bryant and the victim lived in the apartment with a third person, who was not injured, the release states.

Bryant was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment.He was taken to Central Booking for arraignment.

One man is in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and another awaits an 8 a.m. arraignment in an attack with a machete, according to officials.

Police and emergency personnel were called to a home in the 1000 block of North Duke Street in North York for a domestic disturbance, police said.

Once there, they found an injured man who was taken off in an ambulance.

Another man was taken into custody outside the home after yelling that he was defending himself. He was placed in a police cruiser.

That man sits at Central Booking where charges will be filed and he will see a judge, Central Booking confirmed.

Neighbor Scott Connelly said he heard two men arguing around 8 p.m., and then saw a man with up to five cuts on his face.

Police at the scene did not issue any statements, but they did Tweet out some information confirming the nature of the disturbance and the condition of the victim. They said a news release will be issued Sunday morning.